The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

How to Read a Young Adult Novel but Still Hang Out with Adults [SHOWING SLIDE 11 OF 11]

Some adults are proud readers of young adult novels; some keep their YA reading habits firmly to themselves, as if they were pilfering extra packets of ketchup from a fast food joint. However open you are about it, we know there are a lot of adult readers of YA books. For those just dipping your toes into the YA waters, the books on this week’s list are YA novels that resolutely tackle adult themes: murder, suicide, poverty, depression. If you’re curious about why young adult novels have taken off so wildly, these books will show you why.

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